Pain Meds - How long?

I am almost 4 weeks post op and I have bad days. I find I can get so much more accomplished if I take half a pain pill. If I do too much I feel I definitly need a pain pill by the end of the day. I feel like my house is a wreck all the time! Tending to it and my family and the shopping is still too much. Am I just being a baby? I ran out of pain meds and I am thinking of asking for more but I felt at this point I should be off. What do you think?

Thanks Sisters.

I too would love to hear what the sisters think. I am still taking Tylenol 3's at 3.5 weeks (after driving made me very sore on my right side), and definitely need some after I am out even for a minor excursion. My Dr just gave me a new Rx, but I too would feel funny asking for more. What are others experience? There appears to be a bravado with some (like my real sister, who brags that she was "off those things" after a week)...but not me!

Pain is different for each of us. I know I only took 2 doses of Percocet and then started on Motrin. I only took those for 5 days. I feel fine. But then I'm not in pain. If your in pain, take them. Don't try to be brave and stop because you think you should have to. If your concerned about how long to take the pain meds then discuss this with your MD. However neither of you have been post op for very long. Definently don't rush into life too quickly. Take it slowly. You're not a baby. Call the MD and get a new Rx. How much would that stink if you didn't get the Rx, wind up in pain, and then you have no meds.

MollyAnne

Thanks ladies. Jen I see your date is close to mine.
I think I am also wigging out because it is so close to Thanksgiving. I was thinking of making some stuff ahead of time so I am not stuck with everything at once. Plus I am totally cheating - stove top stuffing, instant potatoes etc. I can't hardly lift anything so I am going to the store everyday! Ugh, it is tiring.
I also fell out of my bed and hurt myself. I have never done this before. I am a new and clumsy person.

Im 10 days post op and Im till on pain meds. I was hoping to be off them by now but I also have back problems and this surgery seem to aggrevate my back

I am 3 weeks post op from my second surgery and I am still on pain meds because I am still having a lot of pain w/ my right ovary. I don't feel one bit ashamed of it either because if I am in pain, I am good to nobody including my self, fourtunatley for me my Dr, knows what I am going through and he is not one of those Dr. who dictate when a patient should feel better. Call your Dr get your script refilled, no need to suffer. I hope you feel better soon A big and prayers to you

At 2 months post-op I still take tylenol and aleve. Some for the twinges I still get, and some for arthritis and headaches. Had been on motrin, but my cardiologist told me that aleve was more heart friendly. I took toradol or tylenol 3 for only 2 days, and got so sick to my stomach that I quit them completely. If I wait too long before taking pain meds, it takes longer to get the pain under control. Only you know how much pain you're in, and if you need to take something stronger than tylenol, aleve, or motrin, don't be afraid to ask your DR for an Rx.

I took a half of a pain pill at night up to 6 weeks. Don't try to be a hero.Give your body relief so that you can get the rest you need. I have had two other abdominal surgeries and was off the pain meds by the time I got home from the hospital. Not with this surgery. I definitely had more pain and discomfort with my hyst. Your still early in your recovery and you won't need the meds forever.

Take care,

lala

I'm at 7 weeks post-op and I took pain meds up to 5 weeks. I asked my doctor about it and she told me not to fight it — that's what they're for. Like lala said, don't try to be a hero. This is a big surgery and you have to manage your pain and not fight it.
I've been off pain meds for two weeks and I feel great. I went back to work on Monday and have had no problems. I think managing the pain had a lot to do with my recovery.
Be well
Julie